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struthers Safety project to begin soon
By jeanne starmack
Struthers
A long-awaited safety project is beginning soon for Runge Boulevard, Struthers Mayor Terry Stocker told the city council Wednesday night.
The project includes curbing, lowering the road surface, new storm-water catchbasins and storm sewers to solve a problem with water ponding on the road and backing up into yards, garages and basements.
Nine residences are affected.
The ponding on the road is also a safety hazard for drivers, Stocker has said. The road is a cut-through street between Fifth Street and state Route 616.
The city had opened bids for the project in September, but decided they were too high and solicited bids again.
The city wanted to start the project this spring so that residents weren’t inconvenienced during winter and the holidays.
It is now on the slate for May 1, Stocker said.
Foust Construction Inc. will be the contractor. The project will cost approximately $213,000, with the state picking up $146,970 and the city contributing $66,000 from its auto-tax and stormwater management funds.
Stocker said residents will soon be getting letters notifying them about the start of the roadwork.
Stocker also told council about another road project, the paving of Lowellville Road, which will start in late summer.
The $449,000 project will be financed with federal highway funds distributed by the state, he said.
The Ohio Department of Transportation will solicit bids for the project and will inspect it, he said.
The city spent $29,000 for the project’s design, he said.
The road will be paved from the Yellow Creek bridge to the city limits, he said.
At the same time, new lighting will be installed in the area using Community Block Grant Development funds, he added.